346 An Account of the Pearl Fifbery at Ceylon. 
about two iticlies from the thick part of the body, growing 
gradually thinner. The extremity of each ear lies loofe, and 
is furrounded by a double brown fringed line. Thefe lie al- 
moft the third of an inch ‘rom the outer part of the fhell, 
and are continually moved by the animal. Next to thefe, 
above and below, ‘are fituated two other double fringed move- 
able fubftances, like the branchiz of a fifh. Thefe ears and 
fringes are joined to a cylindrical piece of flefh of the fize of 
a man’s thumb, which is harder and of a more mufcular 
nature than the reft of the:body. It lies about the centre of 
the fhells, and is firmly attached to the middle of each. This, 
in faét, is that part of the pearl fifth which ferves to open and 
fhut the fhells. Where this column is faftened, we find on 
the flefh deep impreffions, and on the fhell various nodes of 
round or oblong forms, like imperfect pearls. Between this 
part and the hinge (cardo) lies the principal body of the ani- 
mal, feparated from the reft, and fhaped like a bag. The 
mouth is near the hinge of the fhell, enveloped in a veil, and 
has a double flap or lip on each fide; from thence we ob- 
ferve the throat (@/ophagus) defcending like a thread to the 
ftomach. Clofe to the mouth there is a curved brownifh 
tongue, half an inch in Jength, with an obtufe point; on 
the concave fide of this defcends a furrow, which the ani- 
mal opens and fhuts, and probably ufes to convey food to 
its mouth*. Near its middle are two blueith fpots, which 
feem to be the eyes. Ina pretty deep hole, near the bafe of 
the tongue, lies the beard (dy//us), faftened by two flefhy 
roots, and confifting of almoft one hundred fibres, each an 
inch long, of a dark green colour, with a metallic luftre ; 
* The depth at which the pearl fith generally is to be found, hindered 
me from paying any attention to the locomotive power, wnich I have not 
the leaft doubt it poffeffes, ufing for this purpofe its tongues This con- 
jeGture is ftrengthened by the accurate oblervations made on mufcles by 
the celebrated Reaumur, in whieh he found that this body ferves them as 
a leg or arm, to move from one place to another. Though the divers are 
very ignorant with regard to the cecononiy of the pearl fith, this changing 
of habitation has been long fince obferved by them. They allege, that it 
alters its abode, when difturbed by an enemy, or in fearch of food. In the 
former cafe they fay it commonly defcends from the fummit of the bark 
ro-its declivity, 
they 
